Administrator’s note

Khanh K. Pham is a youngest daughter of Mr. & Mrs Tung N. Pham of Gahana, Ohio.  Mr. Pham is a former Lt. Col. of the Vietnamese Air Force of the Republic of (South) Viet Nam.  He fled South Viet Nam and came to America in 1975 with his family as political refugees to avoid living under the totalitarian, communist regime.

After 27 busy years working to reconstruct their life and put their children through college, the couple retired in 2002. During their retirement, they have been very active in community activities to remind future generation of the root cause of the painful exodus of the Nationalist Vietnamese and, Freedom is not Free. 

Khanh K. Pham represents the young generation of American of Vietnamese descent.  While she understands, appreciates and enjoys freedom in her adopted country, she does not forget her compatriots who are living in Viet Nam under the cruel communist regime with absolutely no basic Human Rights.  Below is her speech on Viet Nam Day at Ohio State Capitol on April 29, 2012.

We are proud of you Khanh.  Keep up the good work. 

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            Welcome to the 4^th Annual Heritage Freedom Flag Day for the Republic of Vietnam.  It is my honor to be speaking to all of you today.  I am so happy to be here as we remember all the sacrifices made so that you and I can be free today.

I came to the United States in 1975 when I was 4 years old. I had my hardships living in a foreign country, but nothing that would’ve compared to my life had my parents not immigrated to the United States.

            The second sentence of the U.S. Constitution states:” We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain “unalienable rights that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” This is our basic human right as a U.S. citizen.

            I believe that most Americans take their basic human rights for granted. Today, Americans are allowed to have their own beliefs and to have the freedom of speech. They are free from fear and unwarranted imprisonment. Meanwhile, people living in Vietnam have little or no basic human rights whatsoever, no freedom or democracy. They live in fear of beatings and imprisonment for expressing their suffering, pain and poverty through their essays, art or music.

            Here are three examples of our countrymen, who have been persecuted for trying to exercising their human rights in Vietnam. Viet Khang, a musician and songwriter, who wrote the popular songs called “Where is My Vietnam and Who are You” was imprisoned after he released his song on YouTube, describing the pain, poverty, suffering and misery felt by Vietnam and its people. Father Nguyen van Ly, a Roman Catholic priest, was also imprisoned for his non-violent pro-democracy movement and his collaboration with other writers on the "Manifesto on Freedom and Democracy for Vietnam".  In addition, Reverend Thich Quang Do, a Buddhist monk, was placed on house arrest for 35 years, because the Communists believe he is a threat due to his leadership in the fight for freedom and democracy for Vietnam. He has seen the suffering of the Vietnamese; therefore, he would like to see Human Rights be restored to the people of Vietnam.  

            For everyone person, who has been wrongfully imprisoned by the Communist Vietnam, there are probably hundreds of others that we do not know about. Every life counts. When one of us suffers, we all suffer. Please do your part in easing the suffering for yourself and for the people around you. Please call or write your State Representative to encourage them to support the continued fight for Human Rights for the Vietnamese people.

            House Bill 55 gives us the opportunity to raise the flag every year on April 29 to remember not only the sacrifices made by many, but also to remember that human rights are for everyone, not just some.  As we raise the flag, remember Viet Khang. As we raise the flag, remember, Father Nguyen van Ly. As we raise the flag, remember Reverend Thich Quang Do. As we raise the flag, remember the fight for human rights is worth the sacrifice. As we raise the flag, remember that we all have to do our part to ensure that Human rights are preserved for everyone.